wwest5829

COVID has screwed things up but … previous trips to Luang Prabang, Penom Penh, Singapore and South Korea none of which caused Visa concerns. Looking forward to Vietnam in the future, possibly the Philippines.

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Are you talking about deputy PM Anutin?

And disbarred PM Prayut?

 

Whom have both publicly called white foreigners 'farang'.

I do not get concerned about the term, “farang”, perhaps I have become less sensitive coming from a country of slur terms assigned to foreigners, racial or religious groups. My approach to “farang” is much the same as my approach to being referred to as “gringo” in Mexico. Took the first three levels of Thai but admit … lazy and easy enough to function in Chiang Mai with a Thai Wife without pressing myself to develop much more Thai language skill.

Chang Bunker and Eng Bunker (May 11, 1811 – January 17, 1874) were Siamese-American conjoined twin brothers whose fame propelled the expression "Siamese twins" - Wikipedia

Let us see 1950s until 2011 I was part of US (and the International) Scout movement. Good thing I retired in 2011 from the USA. Still, it might be rather automatic, if meeting a Thai Scout three finger greeting and handshake (the International Scout sign). 

8 hours ago, Tracyb said:

Anyone see a problem after reading this:

 

“Normally, the price for a massage in Phuket as agreed upon by local massage associations is about 300 baht.”

Samui as well, we did find a shop at 250. Usual here in Chiang Mai 200 -250. when dad scan Kaew was still open we went to the 3rd floor were the shops charged 150 per hour.

8 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Will Thailand have to get involved in the South China Sea tensions?

 

Only if there is no other way to dodge getting involved - Dual standards being the stumbling block ......................LOL

Dual standards or allowing two stronger powers to argue it out while Thailand tries the traditional role so as to maintain some semblance of independence.

10 hours ago, Jerno said:

Will Thailand get involved...?  Of course not!  When there's been past armed conflicts and (many) wars, Thailand has never picked sides. Have never sent Military to aid any other country during wars.  Can't even admit or commit to the undeniable fact that Putin/Russia is a barbaric aggressor and totally wrong invading Ukraine.  

Au contraire ... WW I Thailand fought on side of the Triple Entente. Small contingent but still ... As to WW II, mixed bag Thais fought on both sides. It was enough for the US to decide differently than England in declaring Thailand a defeated power (yes, I am aware, due to the Thai declaration of not being delivered). There are a number of Americans here, many now retired who remember being stationed here during Vietnam ... South Korean and Thai troops developed an earned reputation of fighters in Vietnam.

16 minutes ago, SteveBull said:

Self insure - the stress of paying enormous premiums coupled with the worry they will somehow deny the claim, which happens so often made the decision for me.

 

The only problem with that is the cash needs to be readily available, ie I like to invest every penny and not have millions sat around in an interest free account. If I slipped into a coma for any reason the wife isn't going to be able to access/liquidate that cash. However with an insurance policy number.....

 

I know someone who was taken to Bangkok Hospital with his second heart attack and they told him the procedure would be circa 2m, he had the cash but couldn't access it immediately and asked how long he had to pay - they replied he wouldn't make it through the night unless he could prove he could underwrite the whole amount.

2 million? Pull the plug. Painkillers only, too much? OK!

Only addressing my own situation as retired Yank for over a decade. 1. Retirement policy paying up to $5K annually for overseas care. Pre-existing heart history. O-A Visa for retirement so, since the change in rules, required to have health insurance. So, 11,400 baht policy, excluding pre-existing conditions with a 200,000 baht deductible … a tax, I figure. Yes, plan to change to O next extension in the Spring. Heart attack, Chiang Mai 2015, my U.S. insurance paid the $5k and I paid the 6K balance.

I am planning to traveling to the USA next year allowing my O-A Visa to expire, however,  …. A major "glitch" with planning for the March 22-April 25, 2023 trip to USA. While Da and Beer's applications and payment ($320.00) have been accomplished, we are being told the earliest Tourist Visa Interviews cannot be scheduled before April 26 in Chiang Mai and February 6 in Bangkok. I already have secured RT air tickets, car rental, initial lodging ... also told "first come. first served". Bit of an issue with me as I would think an American citizen's Wife and Stepdaughter going on a family visit would have a priority over someone wanting to visit unrelated.

I have used the monthly deposits for a decade but some time ago switched to ordering the Wise transfer closer to the beginning of the month for the following month budget as a precaution. May US SS payment is deposited in my uS bank around the 10th of each month. So I transfer it the first week of the following month.

Retired in Chiang Mai for 11 years now. Five by-passes 2005 (USA), heart attack here 2015. As I was alone at the time, decided it was best to sell the condo and rent as my Sons are in USA and their coming to deal with claims to and sale of the limited assets here would burden them. So, now with a Thai Wife and Sons still in USA ... I executed a Thai Will leaving anything owned in Thailand to her and a separate USA Will which leaves my only assets there (retirement and invested funds one) to my Sons. As for my remains? Up the chimney at a local War with minimum fuss and bother (hopefully). Recommend registering with STEP program through  the US website as it allows Emergency contact info if the Embassy learns of your death or accident while abroad.

7 hours ago, Badrabbit said:

So I have to wait untill my next extension in 2023 to be able to withdraw the 800k?

Phuket Immigration told me all I need is a Thai bank Statement showing the 12 deposits, plus Letter, I asked If I needed to prove where the deposits came from he said "no" 

I have used the 65K method for over a decade. Monthly, I order the $2200.00USD transferred from my U.S. account through Wise (making sure I state on their question form that the reason is for “long term stay”. This makes sure Wise transfers directly into my Bangkok Bank Account as FFT (foreign funds transfer) and not through an intermediary bank. Have not had any issues doing it this way. Checks the requirement boxes while my funds remain invested and earning me dividends.

4 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

Really you believe that?

 

In many 'normal' relationships men & woman are of a similar age.

 

If you are just talking about sex well OK, just go for it.

 

But at the end of the day what does that 25 yo and the 70 yo talk about at the end of the day, other than "tillack want boom boom".

I'm sure discussing her day at work, what book you are reading, let's watch this film together figure really high on the list of chit chat topics

 

So if delusion sex is all you want that works, but watch out for the mysterious 'brother' or 'cousin'

 

Sex is an important part of our lives, but really money for love, dangerous business

The idea has come up on occasion with western males commenting that their Thai significant others are not capable of holding conversations, certainly not on subjects the male wants to discuss. My outlook is that I am in touch with folks I have met on 6 continents. I can discuss with any number of western males. At home, in retirement, we are quite compatible and have no need for th3 se types of conversations. Had breakfast today with an American Doctor, discussion ranged from medical directives, to Buddhism to Rousseau and Voltaire. Now my Thai wife and I are enjoying our hour long massage … balance …

4 hours ago, Isaan sailor said:

Spend some time in any farming village, and you can see how natural selection works.  Young women marry early (often an arranged marriage), have children.  With alcohol or drug addictions—and limited options for support, the marriage often fails.  No wonder she sees the westerner as a ticket to prosperity.

Sometimes the age gap Thai/western marriage  succeeds—win/win.

Agreed. I love Thai culture as you point out. Leaving a nice group of leader 20s to mid30s females quite open to older western males (keeping in mind that the outlook toward age in Asia is quite different than in many western cultures), who show stability, including the financial stability. Worked for me! 

7 hours ago, gt162 said:

No money, no honey and no everything.

The world over … what was that saying about money shortage and love goes out the window.

Cannot deny, before coming to Thailand in retirement, I had read one would be put in the “pecking order” by: 1. How old are you 2. What was your occupation 3. What are your financial resources 4. How white is your skin. Hmm, what’s not to love?! And so here I am after a decade. Fat boy in the candy store when I first came. Now a traditionally raised Thai girl Wife, 26 years my junior (don’t overthink this, remember how old I am). I have oft observed it is more like the 1950s as I was raised. Man to provide financial security, woman to take care of her man (yes, of course a self interest on my wife’s part but She definitely takes care).

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

You need a 4 bdrm / 3 bath home in your retirement ?

 

We just downsized from 400+m² under roof on 2 rai, to 120m², and now 1 bdrm / 2 bath on 1/4 rai, w/ 1/4 rai for garden adjacent.  Actually the garden was an after thought, and on the other side of the road ????

 

1 bdrm ... prepping for the yearly virus and social distancing ... ????

If lived in city / urban area, could easily get by with a bicycle or ebike if lazy.

 

Just an observation as I know the difference between need & want.

We found a comfortable rental house on a double lot here in Chiang Mai for 15,000 baht a month ($423.00 USD). Our bedroom, Daughter's bedroom. My office with my library of European and Asian History books (already donated 300 American History books to Chiang Mai University Library). My wife, pre-Covid had been working sewing clothing together for the tourist market so one room holds her sewing machines and related materials. Each family's needs/wants are different. The Daughter (17) goes off to university, then would be the time for us to get that smaller house ... and on one floor.

On 8/14/2022 at 7:31 AM, 2baht said:

300 plus mass killings in USA so far this year....yes, there's plenty wrong with owning a gun! Why are Americans so obsessed with killing Americans???

 

 

That is the question. Seems like most wish to avoid the hard thinking required to half-way comprehend what are the root causes and address same.

On 8/14/2022 at 4:12 AM, Jingthing said:

What income do you expect to have in the U.S.?

Let's say 100K a year which sounds like a lot from a Thailand perspective but it would not be good in Manhattan but would be quite good in nice places like Asheville North Carolina. 

My reality upon coming up to retire in 2011? Can I afford a comfortable working middle class sustainable monthly retirement budget of $2400.00USD a month. It seemed to me that I could afford a rusting trailer in Arizona or Florida but, upon investigation, could be much better off in a lower cost country. So, I joined millions of other working middle class folks from the USA, Germany, Australia, England, Denmark, Japan, etc. retiring in Thailand. No Mercedes and swimming pool but  ... 4 bed, 3 bath home, car, motorbike, excellent healthcare (much more reasonable than USA), etc.

On 8/14/2022 at 1:24 AM, Sparktrader said:

West is rubbish.

Yo! Go easy there ... name sensitive. 555

On 8/14/2022 at 1:03 AM, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Biden beat him by record votes in 2020.....speaking of 10 yrs hes in a bit of trouble as well....

My "crystal ball" is a bit cloudy but I do fear unless the underlying economic stress on the American working class is addressed, the madness will continue. The wealth gap reflects the unsustainability of the direction over the last 50+- years (actions/policies of both major political parties).

3 hours ago, connda said:

It's a good time to buy Long in US Defense Stocks. 

Judging the history of the USA, it has been a safe bet since the country’s founding.

3 hours ago, superal said:

The weaponry is being given free to the Ukraine by way of the donor foreign governments who are buying from suppliers . I also heard today that not only a withdrawal from the Ukraine but also to vacate Crimea .

Personally I favored Ukraine giving Russia a long term lease for its naval base in Crimea in return for an equally long term contract to supple Ukraine with Russian fuel. A peaceful win for both countries rather than an indefensible agree Sion of Russia invading and seizing sovereign country territory.